Note: These are minimum requirements only. Providing more 

than the required space is encouraged and can improve the 

overall welfare of your dogs.

Calculating Minimum Floor Space

To calculate the minimum space required for a dog, follow the 

steps below. 

Step 1: Measure the length of the dog (in inches) from the tip 

of its nose to the base of its tail. Add 6 inches to this number.

Step 2: Take the total number you got in step 1 and square 

it (multiply it by itself). This will give you the dog’s minimum 

floor space in square inches. To convert the number to 

square feet (optional), divide the total number in square 

inches by 144.

YES 31 inches

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) sets standards of care 

and treatment for dogs used in research, exhibited to 

the public, bred for commercial sale, or transported in 

commerce. These standards include specific requirements 

for the amount of space primary enclosures must provide. 

The following information will help AWA licensees and 

registrants understand the requirements and provide 

housing for their dogs that meets the law’s standards. 

AWA Requirements

In general, all primary enclosures must have adequate 

space for each adult dog to turn about freely and to 

stand, sit, and lie down in a comfortable, normal position. 

Enclosures must also provide adequate space for each 

adult dog to walk around in a normal manner.1 In addition, 

enclosures must meet specific measurements for interior 

height and floor space, based on the size and number of 

dogs housed. 

Interior Height

The interior height of the primary enclosure must be at 

least 6 inches higher than the head of the tallest dog in the 

enclosure. The measurement is based on when the dog is 

standing comfortably in a normal position.2 

Floor Space

Each dog in a primary enclosure, including weaned 

puppies, must have a minimum amount of floor space. 

This measurement is based on calculations specified in 

the AWA, as explained at right.3

If you have multiple dogs in group housing, the total 

floor space must meet or exceed the sum of each dog’s 

minimum floor space requirement. For example, if you 

have four dogs that each require 9.51 square feet, you will 

need four times that number (38.04 square feet—to house 

the dogs. 

1

 9 CFR 3.6(a)(2)(xi)

2

 9 CFR 3.6(c)(1)(iii)

3

 9 CFR 3.6(c)(1)(i)

There must be at least 6 inches from the top

of the dog’s head to the top of the cage.

6 inch

Minimum Space Requirements for Dogs

Animal Care Tech Note

There must be at least 

6 inches from the top 

of the dog’s head to 

the top of the cage.

Measure while the dog is in 

a normal, standing position 

or while lying flat on its side. 

Do not follow the contours 

of the dog’s body.

Example: Scout, a Dalmatian, measures 31 inches from the tip of her 

nose to the base of her tail.

31 inches + 6 inches = 37 inches

Example: For Scout, the final measurement in Step 1 was 37 inches. 

Multiply 37 inches by 37 inches (or 372) to see that Scout needs 

1,369 square inches of floor space (or 9.51 square feet) 

37 inches x 37 inches = 1,369 square inches

1,369 square inches ÷ 144 = 9.51 square feet
Quick Reference

The table below shows the minimum floor space needed for 

a dog based on body length and AWA-required calculations.

Dog Length 

(in inches)

Square Feet 

Needed

Dog Length 

(in inches)

Square Feet 

Needed

7 1.17 30 9.00

8 1.36 31 9.51

9 1.56 32 10.03

10 1.78 33 10.56

11 2.01 34 11.11

12 2.25 35 11.67

13 2.51 36 12.25

14 2.78 37 12.84

15 3.06 38 13.44

16 3.36 39 14.06

17 3.67 40 14.69

18 4.00 41 15.34

19 4.34 42 16.00

20 4.69 43 16.67

21 5.06 44 17.36

22 5.44 45 18.06

23 5.84 46 18.78

24 6.25 47 19.51

25 6.67 48 20.25

26 7.11 49 21.01

27 7.56 50 21.78

28 8.03 51 22.56

29 8.51 52 23.36

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare APHIS-22-030 ▪ Issued June 2022 

Dams With Nursing Puppies

Dams with nursing puppies must have additional floor 

space.4 Each puppy requires at least 5 percent of its 

mother’s minimum floor space requirement. 

Step 1: Calculate the additional minimum floor space per 

puppy.

 1,369 square inches x 0.05 = 68.45 square inches 

Step 2: Multiply the additional floor space per puppy by the 

number of puppies.

 68.45 square inches x 9 puppies = 616.05 square inches 

Step 3: Add Scout’s space requirement to the space 

requirement for the 9 puppies. This will give you the space 

requirement in square inches for all 10 dogs. To convert 

the minimum space for all 10 dogs from square inches to 

square feet (optional), divide the total number in square 

inches by 144.

 1,369 square inches + 616.05 square inches = 1,985.05 square inches 

 1985.05 square inches ÷ 144 = 13.79 square feet 

Now we see that Scout and her puppies need at least 

13.79 square feet of floor space.

Exercise Requirements and 

Floor Space

In addition to sufficient space, the AWA requires licensees 

and registrants to provide dogs with the opportunity for 

exercise. In some cases, the amount of floor space can 

satisfy the exercise requirements for dogs. The exercise 

requirements can also be met with an exercise plan that 

is separate from floor space. Below is a summary of how 

these requirements relate. 

Room To Exercise for Singly Housed Dogs

To figure out how much space a singly housed dog in your 

care needs to meet the exercise requirement, multiply the 

dog’s minimum floor space requirement by 2. The exception 

to this rule is if you have planned and documented other 

opportunities for exercise. To view the requirements for 

planning and documenting other opportunities, go to 

ecfr.gov and search for “9 CFR 3.8.”

Exercise for Group-Housed Dogs

If the enclosure or structure meets the floor space 

requirements for group-housed dogs, then it also meets 

the floor space requirement for the dogs to exercise.5 

Note: Exercise requirements do not apply to dams with 

nursing puppies or to dogs under 12 weeks of age.

4

 9 CFR 3.6(c)(1)(ii)

5

 9 CFR 3.8

For More Information

To view the full text of the AWA and the Animal Welfare 

Regulations, refer to the United States Code, Title 7, 

Chapter 54, Sections 2131–2159 and the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1–4. 

If you have questions, contact the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) Animal Care staff at (970) 494-7478 

or animalcare@usda.gov.